From Article Writer to Author: Michael Thompson Knows How to Move People with His Words
Do you want to move readers with your writing?
Do you want your work to stand out and be remembered?
Do you want to tell stories from your everyday life that inspire action?
I understand completely. I’ve had the same desire.
For years, I’ve longed to write stories from my ordinary life, and from the lives of those around me, in a way that deeply resonates with people. But no matter how much I worked on my craft, I still felt like I wasn’t where I wanted to be.
Then, I discovered Michael Thompson.
For those of you unfamiliar with Michael, he’s a writer on Medium with over 80,000 followers. Michael has truly mastered the art of personal storytelling.
I’ve been following his work for years, and what sets him apart is his incredible ability to transform everyday moments into stories packed with meaning and life lessons. His storytelling skill is unmatched, and through his articles, he’s inspired countless readers, including me.
But there’s something you might not know about Michael Thompson.
He’s extremely shy and has struggled with a stutter since childhood.
How Does Someone Shy and Battling a Stutter Become a Master Storyteller?
For Michael Thompson, the journey was anything but straightforward.
Growing up, he faced the challenge of expressing himself clearly, often holding back in conversations out of fear and frustration. But instead of letting these obstacles define him, Michael turned to writing as a way to share his voice and connect with others.
Through years of practice and persistence, he not only overcame his speech struggles but also honed his ability to tell stories that resonate deeply with readers.
“Writing is my natural place. I communicate strongest writing," says Michael.
In this interview, Michael shares how he became an observant and listener, qualities that helped him tell great stories.
Today, Michael Thompson is a celebrated author and storyteller, known for crafting narratives that inspire, move, and leave a lasting impact. In this interview, he shares how he turned his personal challenges into his greatest strengths.
What It Feels Like to Be Chosen by an Agent Before You’ve Even Written a Book
Early in his writing career, Michael was approached by an agent who saw something special in his work.
The agent asked him if he had ever considered writing a book.
Michael hadn’t.
The agent told him, he should—he had all the qualities of a great writer.
Michael secured a book deal before he had a book in his mind.
It took him three years to come up with an idea and write his book, Shy by Design: 12 Timeless Principles to Quietly Stand Out.
The book chronicles his personal journey of overcoming shyness and stuttering.
It offers introverts practical guidance on how to embrace their natural tendencies while making a powerful impact in both their personal and professional lives.
In a world that lionizes loudness, its actually the quiet and shy among us who are best set up to thrive. Michael Thompson provides an important new way of understanding what it really takes to stand out!
― Cal Newport, New York Times bestselling author of Digital Minimalism and Deep Work
How Michael Helped Me Overcome My Doubts and Start This Podcast
I’ve been wanting to start a podcast for months—maybe even years. But I kept holding myself back with thoughts like:
“It’s too hard.”
“Who would agree to be interviewed by me?”
“I don’t have the right equipment.”
Then, something changed.
I listened to one of
’s podcast with and it inspired me to write a public Note to Michael.
I didn’t expect Michael to respond—but he did. And he agreed to an interview!
I asked Michael the questions I had been wanted to ask him for so long:
How does he find stories in everyday moments?
How does he know when a snippet of life can evolve into a meaningful story?
When does an anecdote become a story?
What are the key elements that transform everyday occurrences into compelling non-fiction narratives?
What role does vulnerability play in writing, especially when telling personal stories?
How can aspiring writers tap into vulnerability without feeling too exposed?
Michael’s answers were candid and generous.
You can hear them for yourself.
You can listen to the full podcast on YouTube and Spotify as well.
It took me hours to record and edit this interview.
If you enjoyed listening, I would greatly appreciate it if you could like the episode and leave a comment.
Your feedback will let me know that I’m on the right track and encourage me to bring you more insightful interviews like this one.
That’s all from me this week.
As always, thanks for reading and listening.
See you next week.
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The Art of Personal Storytelling - Master Storyteller Michael Thompson on Crafting Stories that Inspire and Move Readers